As so often, the index of censors’ dislikes provides a fascinating insight into the dark desires of the general populace. China is a deeply formal society, reserved, even prudish, on matters sexual, although growing openness in society has led to greater permissiveness. Directors must not produce films that depict hardcore sexual activity, rape, prostitution or nudity. “Vulgar dialogue or music and sound effects with a sexual connotation” are also out.Any content involving “murder, violence, horror, evil spirits and devils and excessively terrifying scenes, conversations, background music and sound effects” is banned. The list forbids films that “distort the civilisation and history of China or other nations … or … tarnish the image of revolutionary leaders, heroes, important historic characters, members of the armed forces, police and judicial bodies.”

Other banned subjects include the reconstruction of crimes or films that reveal police investigatory techniques. Movies that advocate nihilism, environmental damage, animal abuse and the capture or killing of rare animals will also be on the censor’s list.

Ah, what little the censors know about films and film culture. Just like having basketball courts open at midnight saved inner-city American youth from doing drugs and committing crimes, so quality movies — the kind that you tend to get more of when you’re free to make films the way you see fit — can keep Chinese teenagers from becoming nihilistic, capturing rare animals, and tarnishing the reputation of judicial bodies.

The two films in question, one a rape of Nanking movie helmed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Chow Yun-Fat and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and the other (Three Kingdoms：Resurrection of the Dragon that is) a historical action/drama with Andy Lau, have, according to this article not had to face the censors again, meaning that their same day release on April 3rd is still a goer.

Sorta related note: Did you know that “http://batgwa.com/story.php?id=706″>Chow Yun-fat is an amateur photographer and that some of his photographic works are on display at the Louis Vuitton flagship store in Hong Kong? Some of his pictures are, not surprisingly, behind-the-scenes looks at the movies that he’s been in.

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